Additional information for Istanbul

Turkey

With over thirty years of experience in Turkey, we have a broad understanding of the local market.

Our clients include leading Turkish and international corporates, banks and financial institutions, investors and government entities.

Our high-profile domestic and international work has built our market-leading reputation and we combine our vast experience in the Turkish market with the reach and resources of the firm’s international network.

An international capability grounded in local know-how

We keep a long-standing commitment to Turkey that has given us a deep understanding of the Turkish market and unparalleled expertise in relation to cross-border transactions. After more than 30 years of advising domestic and international clients on Turkey related matters, we have been operating on the ground in Istanbul since 2011 in cooperation with Yegin Ciftci Attorney Partnership ("Yegin Ciftci").

A local presence and established relations with key players in the Turkish market are key for successfully completing transactions. We have built our capability to match our clients' business needs work in a wide range of industries, operate all over the world, and need to act decisively when opportunities or issues arise. We meet these needs with our top-grade experience, technical skills and on the ground capability. We use our industry experience, global reach and innovative thinking to help them reach their business goals.

Our Istanbul office is an integral part of our network

We know how to use the right resources to get the best results for clients on domestic matters and on international transactions where we regularly form extended teams with colleagues from our international network. We have close working-relationships with colleagues from around the globe to deliver practical advice on complex issues. We use our international reach, technical excellence and client-friendly approach to deliver complex transactions and build longstanding client relationships.

Our English law capability and, through Yegin Ciftci, our local law expertise, sets us apart in the Turkish market. Our ability to offer both Turkish and English law advice in one single firm streamlines the process for our clients and provides significant efficiency savings. Our lawyers have excellent knowledge of local market trends and practice. We are the go-to law firm for banking and finance, project finance, mergers and acquisitions and capital markets.

A team with a proven track record

We take a one firm approach to our clients' needs with integrated cross-practice and cross-border teams working together to achieve success. We know how to make our resources, which include 3,400 lawyers across our international network, work for all our clients and can call on the specialised skills of globally-recognised, top-ranked lawyers to help them reach their business goals. Our lawyers have first-hand experience of the technical and practical aspects of the Turkish market and are familiar with international best practice, used to complexity and to working in extended teams.

Unrivalled experts in key growth sectors in Turkey

Over the last decades we have been working on a number of landmark deals and high-profile cases and hold an unrivalled expertise in key growth sectors in Turkey

Energy & Infrastructure: We have an in-depth understanding of the regulatory environment and commercial drivers. We regularly advise sponsors and banks on the development and financing of PPP Healthcare projects and those that include ports, airports, tunnels, hospitals, bridges, roads and railways.

Consumer Goods & Retail: We support our clients in this sector in all key areas of their business, from strategic growth and divestments to commercial relationships, regulatory compliance, strategic acquisitions, disposals and major financings.

Private Equity: We have market-leading experience in all aspects of private equity transactions and regularly advise both local and international players on buyout and growth capital transactions across numerous sectors. We represent a wide range of global, regional and emerging markets financial investors, including private equity houses, banks, specialist infrastructure and private equity real estate funds and other financial institutions.

Technology, Media & Communications: We bring the right mix of industry knowledge and experience to your TMT transactions. The team provides transactional and regulatory advice in connection with mergers and acquisitions, compliance, anti-trust and competition, financing and capital markets.

The lenders, in relation to the financing of the design, construction, maintenance, repair, operation and transfer of the Gebze- Orhangazi- Izmir motorway (including the Izmit Gulf Crossing and Access roads)

A consortium in connection with the tenders for the financing, design, construction, maintenance, repair, operation and transfer of Kurtköy-Akyazı and Kınalı-Odayeri sections of the Northern Marmara Motorway Project (European and Asian Sections of the Northern Marmara Motorway)

The lenders on the financing for the development of Kızıldere III Unit Geothermal Project of Zorlu Holding

The lenders on the financing of the Gebze-Orhangazi-Izmir motorway (including the Izmit Gulf crossing suspension bridge) in Turkey

The finance parties in the privatisation of Turkey´s state-owned oil and gas firm Türkiye Petrolleri

HSBC in connection with the financing of Elazıg integrated health campus using the first ever greenfield project bond structure in the Turkish PPP market

Garanti Bank and the syndicate of lenders on the USD 1 billion project finance facility for the development of Galataport Project in Istanbul

A consortium in connection with the privatisation of 8 Motorways and the Bosphorous Bridges together with their connection roads and additional facilities

HSBC as structuring bank, and Dubai Islamic Bank, HSBC, and Standard Chartered Bank as joint lead managers and book runners in connection with the Rule 144A/Reg S Sukuk issuance by the Republic of Turkey of US$1.25 billion

IFC in Turkey’s first mortgage covered bond in local currency to boost green mortgages

EBRD in an inflation-linked bond issued by Turkey's largest utility group, EnerjiSA Enerji

European Bank for Reconstruction & Development, Türkiye Garanti Bankası and Denizbank on the financing of Energaz and the expansion and development of its gas distribution network

Ajinomoto in the acquisition of 100% shares in Kükre Gıda in two tranches

Partners Group in connection with its minority stake investment in Enerya Elektrik, an electricity distribution company within STFA Group

SOCAR Turkey in connection with the proposed acquisition of OMV Petrol Ofisi, one of the largest private companies and Turkey’s leading fuel products distribution company

"They were tremendous - always available, every reply was right on the money, and they helped with compliance issues as well. The service was faultless." The team also draws praise for their "good knowledge of the local market and thorough understanding of local requirements."Chambers Europe: Turkey, Corporate/M&A – 2017

"The firm's greatest strength is the outstanding people in the team, who combine diverse backgrounds and sectoral experience with a problem-solving approach." The team also draws praise for their ability to "quickly respond to any queries" and "comply with tight deadlines."Chambers Global: Turkey, 2017

"They approach negotiations with a commercial point of view in a constructive manner, which makes them a valuable partner." "They are well experienced in finance projects" and provide advice that is "to the point and solution-oriented, rather than blurring things with unrealistic scenarios."Chambers Europe: Turkey, Banking & Finance 2017

"Turkey is a jurisdiction where you need guidance beyond the strict black letter law, and they are very well placed to do that - they give very good advice on the practicalities of the system."Chambers Europe: Turkey, Capital Markets, 2017

Jared Grubb

Office Managing Partner, Istanbul

Client Highlight

Advising the lenders in respect of the financing of the design, construction, operation, maintenance and repair of the Kınalı-Odayeri and Kurtköy-Akyazı sections (including access roads) of the Northern Marmara Motorway.